I can't believe she did that

[SCHBR'smom]

I was grocery shopping earlier, and I had the baby in the front pack like usual. People love seeing her there, she gets lots of smiles and "look at the baby". Some people stop and talk about her (how old is she, she looks like a little doll, etc) and touch her feet. Today, though, someone went even farther. She was talking to me about the baby, and the baby gets lots of comments because 1)she's youngest of 5, 2)she's hanging out in the front pack (she likes to hold onto the cart like me), and 3)she's incredibly small (7 1/2 mos and only about 12-13 pounds). And, of course, because she's adorable. This woman touched the baby's cheek. Ok, I'd rather you not, but, no harm done. You like the baby, I understand. Then, she kissed her on the cheek. I couldn't believe it. She doesn't know either of us, yet she kissed my baby on the cheek. Then she told me to have a nice day. All I can think is germs. And, I worry because the baby had a rough start, that's part of why she's so small. She had the worst case of bronchiolitis her pediatrician has seen days after being born. Once she recovered from that, she got RSV. At 2 mos old, she wasn't back up to birth weight and suffered from allergies and a cough until about 4 mos old. I worry about germs more with this one than any of the others because of the hard time she has had. I just can't believe a complete stranger would kiss my baby.

 

[live4christp1]

Hope she is fine!

 

[bumbershoot]

Sounds like you have her in a front-facing carry? If I were you, I'd dump the Bjorn, or whatever you're using, and get an Ergo. Front carries in Ergos have baby facing YOU, and have the pelvis of baby much more supported and less dangly. It's called the ergo b/c it's more ergonomic for you AND the baby's brand new pelvic bones.

And no one would be able to kiss her on the cheek, not without risking an arrest for unwanted chest-touching, that is...

 

[lovetoscrap]

Sounds like your baby is like mine and enjoys looking out. Mine loved the front facing carriers.

I totally agree that lady crossed a personal space boundary that would have me but as far as germs I feel that the baby is actually less exposed by a kiss on the cheek than by those those that reach out and touch her hands. Seems like everyone wants to get babies to grab their fingers. Then the walk away and baby puts their hand in their mouths. Same with the toes if you have a baby that puts her feet in her mouth. My first one was immuno-compromised and we had to be very careful with her.

I would probably have just gotten out a baby wipe and wiped off her cheek and made sure to avoid that lady as I finished shopping! And I would wipe off hands and toes after stranger contact if you have reason to be concerned about germs. But also realize that if she has her hands on the handle of the shopping cart there are probably millions more germs on that than were in that kiss.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

Sounds like your baby is like mine and enjoys looking out. Mine loved the front facing carriers.

I totally agree that lady crossed a personal space boundary that would have me but as far as germs I feel that the baby is actually less exposed by a kiss on the cheek than by those those that reach out and touch her hands. Seems like everyone wants to get babies to grab their fingers. Then the walk away and baby puts their hand in their mouths. Same with the toes if you have a baby that puts her feet in her mouth. My first one was immuno-compromised and we had to be very careful with her.

I would probably have just gotten out a baby wipe and wiped off her cheek and made sure to avoid that lady as I finished shopping! And I would wipe off hands and toes after stranger contact if you have reason to be concerned about germs. But also realize that if she has her hands on the handle of the shopping cart there are probably millions more germs on that than were in that kiss.

yep, she likes to look forward. She must be tired of looking at me all the time when she nurses.

I know the handles have germs. When the baby was having all her problems, my mom bought me little bottles of lysol to carry around. I spray the carts before anyone touches them. I have to worry about what germs the bigger kids pick up and pass to her, too. DD2 (18 mos at the time) had RSV before the baby. We think she got it from a shopping cart because we had no other explanation for where she got it. And, of course, the baby got it from her. So, I had to be vigilant with shopping carts. We've not had anyone really touch her hands, just feet.

The baby has been great lately, so I don't worry as much. I used to make the kids use hand sanitizer, but I don't worry so much any more. I know the baby needs to be exposed to germs to build up immunity. I know I'm a little overly worried. Once we get through this cold and flu season, I think I'll be able to relax, again.

 

[wdwfan16]

Wow!

 

[minkydog]

I'm with you. I usually am pretty laid back about germs, but this takes the cake. I don't care what the statistics are about whether the baby would get sick, I would have a BIG problem with a stranger kissing her. We once had a waiter at a restaurant giving our 4mo DD a little too much attention, wanting to hold her, kiss her. Then he asked if he could take her back to the kitchen! I think NOT. We paid our bill and left and NEVER went back

 

[C.Ann]

My Dson-in-law's cousin popped in over the weekend with their GORGEOUS baby girl - just about a year old.. I hadn't seen her in months and I wanted to hug her and kiss her sooooo bad.. Finally I just asked - they said "Of course" - and just plopped her in my arms..

I would never touch or kiss a baby without getting permission first - and especially if the baby belonged to a stranger!!

I would have been every bit as shocked as you were.. How rude!